Coaxial connector tool



P 6, 1966 H. w DEMLER ETAL 3,270,392

COAXIAL CONNECTOR TOOL Filed Oct. 14, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.Hmrzw \J. Damuz J M(M W Gsoxzee M. DEGLER J12 p 6, 1966 v H. w. DEMLERETAL 3,270,392

COAXIAL CONNECTOR TOOL Filed Oct. 14, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.HENRY W- DEMLER (:zoszee \J. ZIEGLERJQ.

Sept. 6, 1966 H. w. DEMLER ETAL 3,270,392

COAXIAL CONNECTOR TOOL Filed Oct. 14, 1963 s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.HENRY \J. DEMLEE M WW sept- 6, 1956 H. w. DEMLER ETAL 3,270,392

COAXIAL CONNECTOR TOOL Filed 001.. 14, 1963 5 Sheets-$heet 4 INVENTOR.Q] HENRY W. DEMLEZ GEORGE \A/lmeLER 1T2.

M M rm Sept 6, 1966 H. w. DEMLER ETAL 3,270,392

COAXIAL CONNECTOR TOOL Filed QGIZ. 14, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 INVENTOR.HENRY W. DEMLER GEORGE. W. ZJEGLEZ 3:2.

United States Patent 3,270,392 COAXIAL CONNECTOR TOOL Henry W. Demler,Lebanon, and George W. Ziegler, J12,

Carlisle, Pa., assignors to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.

Filed Oct. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 315,787 16 Claims. (CI. 29-33) Thisinvention relates to a tool, especially a tool for applying connectormembers onto conductor means such as a coaxial cable, and the methodtherefor.

In the coaxial cable field, it is necessary to interconnect andterminate coaxial cables by connector members. It is essential that theconnector members provide excellent mechanical and electricalcharacteristics when on the coaxial cables, as well as being readilymounted there-on. Various types of connector members have been used aswell as the application thereof which have not proven satisfactory. I

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide atool for readily applying connector members onto a cable means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a tool whichsecurely holds the cable means and fixedly applies a connector memberthereon.

An additional object of the present invention is the provision of a toolwhich fixedly mounts a connector member to the outer conductor of acoaxial cable.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a toolwhich has interchangeable parts to perform dilferent functions.

A still additional object of the present invention is the provision of atool that does not disturb the insulation of the coaxial cable means.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tool thatcenters the center conductor of the coaxial cable means in order todrill and tap same.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings inwhich there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of theinvention; it is to be understood, however, that this embodiment is notintended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but is given forpurposes of illustration in the invention and principles thereof and themanner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it invarious forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of aparticular use.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIGURE 1 with cablemeans and a connector member therein;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 2 along lines 3-3 of FIGURE2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the chuck device;

FIGURES 5, 6- and 7 are, respectively, cross-sectional views of theflaring member, female pusher member and drill jig for use in theembodiment of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE a is a cross-sectional view showing the flaring member and cablemeans after flaring thereof;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 9 is an end view looking from the left of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a part cross-sectional view showing a drill and tap jigengaging the center conductor of the cable means;

3,273.92 Patented Sept. 6, 1966 "ice FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional viewof the male fitting holding member;

FIGURE 12 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but of a further embodiment ofthe present invention, and with parts broken away;

FIGURE 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 13a is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 13a-13a of FIGURE13;

FIGURES 14 and 15 are, respectively, an exploded perspective partiallysectioned and broken away view and a perspective view of a cableassembly having connector members applied therein by the presentinvention.

Turning now to the drawings and more particularly FIGURES 1-3, there isshown a hollow tool body 1 removably mounted in a mounting means 2 by aset screw 3 or in any other conventional manner. Tool body 1 has a firstbore 4, a second bore 5 of smaller diameter than bore 4 and anintermediate bore 6 connecting bores 4 and 5 but of smaller diameterthan either one. Each end of body 1 has threads 7, 8 on the externalsurface thereof.

Removably disposed in bore 4 is a sleeve 9 whose outer surfacecorresponds to that of bore 4 and an inner conical surface whosediameter progressively increases from the outer part of bore 4 towardsthe inner part thereof. Removably disposed on the interior of sleeve 9is a chuck device 10 comprising preferably four jaw members. Chuckdevice 10 has .an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface ofsleeve 9 and an inner surface which engages outer conductor C of cablemeans C and holds same within body 1. Thus, chuck device 10 and sleeve 9move relative to each other in order to grip and hold a cable means inaccordance with the size thereof. The inner end of chuck device 10engages the inner end of bore 4 to limit the inner movement therein, andeach of the jaws of the chuck device includes an extension 10a which isdisposed in bore 6 and has the same length thereof. If desired, chuckdevice 10 can have less than or more than four jaws.

In order to keep the jaws of the chuck device in engagement against theinner surface of sleeve 9, notches 10 are disposed in each jawcontiguous the inner end and about midway thereof. In each notch thereis secured a strip of plastic material 10", such as nylon, Teflon, orother suitable material. With the use of the strip of plastic materialsecured to each of the jaws, they do not become separated from eachother. Of course, if desired, spring means can be interposed betweenadjacent jaws to accomplish the same purpose.

A chuck nut 111 having threads 12 on the internal surface and an opening1 1' in the bottom thereof corresponding to the minimum diameter ofsleeve 9 is threadably engaged on threads 7. The outer end of sleeve 9extends beyond the outer end of body 1 and engages the inner surface ofthe bottom of nut 11. Thus, upon nut 11 being threadably moved alongbody 1, sleeve 9 is moved inwardly to compress the jaws of chuck device10 onto cable means C disposed therein by a camming action until thecable means is securely held thereby. The outer surface 11 is preferablyknurled to aid in rotating same.

It is to be understood that various chuck devices having different innerdiameters can be used in order to accommodate different sized cablemeans.

A recess 13 having a larger diameter than bore 5 is disposed in the endof body 1 having threads 8 thereon. A ring-locating member 14- -has anouter flange 15 which fits in recess 13, a body portion 16 which fitswithin bore 5 and an inner flange 17 which has a portion abutting 9 asagainst the wall connecting bores and 6 and another portion abuttingagainst extensions 10a of chuck device 10. Ring-locating screws 18 aredisposed in body 1 in the outer part of recess 13 in diametricalrelationship. In the periphery of outer flange 15 (see FIGURE 3) thereare adjacent notches 15' and 15" with one larger than the other whichpermit insertion of the ring-locating member 14 into body 1 via thelarger notches passing over the heads of screws 18 and with a slightturn, they are secured therein via the smaller notches which engage theshanks of screws 18 underneath the heads thereof. Of course, otherconventional securing means can be utilized to secure member 14 in body1.

Ring-locating member 14 is preferably made in two parts which will bediscussed hereafter. As can be discerned, body portion 16 ofring-locating member 14 has a cavity 14' of substantially conicalconfiguration be tween flanges 15 and 17 which also will be discussedhereafter.

A guide member 19 has internal threads which mate with threads 8 and hasa guide bore 20 which is coaxial with bores 4, 5 and 6. The rear part ofguide member 19 has threads 21 on the outer surface thereof. A malepusher member 22 is disposed in guide bore 2% and has a stop member 23threadably disposed in a threaded hole 24. The inner part of pushermember 22 has internal threads which mate with the external threads of amale fitting 25 of a coaxial connector member CM. Male fitting 25 has aninsertion part 26 which is to be inserted between the inner surface ofthe outer conductor of cable means C and the outer surface of insulationI thereof.

A drive nut 27 having internal threads which mate with threads 21 ofguide member 19 is threadably mounted thereon. The inner surface of thebottom of drive nut 27 engages the outer end of male pusher member 22 inorder to drive same upon drive nut 27 being screwed upon guide member 19thereby driving the insertion part 26 into position as stated above. Theouter surface of drive nut 27 can be knurled, if desired.

FIGURE 5 shows flaring member 28 which has an outer diameter slightlyless than guide bore 21 so as to be movable therein. The front end offlaring member 28 has a projection 29 whose outer surface is inclinedtoward the axis of flaring member 28 to form a flaring section. Thus, aloading ring 30 is fitted into cavity 14 of ring-locating member 14 overthe outer conductor of the cable means. Loading ring 30 has a slightinclination extending from the inner end to the outer end. As can beseen from FIGURES 2 and 5a, ring 30 abuts against inner flange 17 tolimit the inner movement thereof so that the outer edge is located flushwith the end of the cable means. The inner surface of outer flange 15 isspaced from outer conductor C which is equal to the thickness of ring 30plus the distance that this conductor is to be moved by the flaringmember and the insertion of insertion part 26 of the male part of theconnector member. Flaring member 28, therefore, flares a small portionof the outer conductor against loading ring 30 (see FIGURE 5a) to holdring 30 temporarily in place and to provide an easy entrance forinsertion part 26. Flaring member 28 does not damage the insulation andcan be provided, if desired, with cutting members (not shown), such as,sharpened serrations, in order to cut away some of the inner surface ofouter conductor C.

FIGURE 6 shows a female pusher member 31 threadably engaging a couplingnut 32 of a female fitting 33 of the connector member CM. Female fitting33 includes an insertion part 34 similar to insertion part 26 of malefitting 25 and is applied to another cable means (not shown) in the samemanner as the male fitting and the outer end of loading ring 30maintains coupling nut 32 freely rotatably on insertion part 34 so thatthe coupling nut can threadably engage the male fitting 25 (see FIGURES14 and 15).

The inner ends of the insertion parts are preferably tapered in order torender an easy insertion thereof within the cable means.

Prior to the application of each fitting to its respective part of thecable means, the center conductor C can be drilled and tapped along theaxis thereof in order to mount thereon a metallic contact member 35 infemale fitting 33 which has resilient members 36 extending outwardlytherefrom and a metallic contact member 37 in male fitting 25 which hasa plug portion 38 adapted to be engaged by resilient members 36 (seeFIGURE 15). Between the contact members 35, 37 and the fittings 25, 33,there is disposed tubular dielectric inserts 39.

In order to drill and tap center conductor C along the axis thereof, itis essential that the center conductor be centered; because it ispossible that the center conductor has deviated from the center axis ofthe conductor means. In FIGURE 7 there is shown a drill jig 40 includinga flange 41, a center hole 42 and projections 43 extending outwardlytherefrom. Flange 41 has a thickness corresponding to the depth ofrecess 13 in which it is to be mounted by means of notches similar tothose in outer flange 15 of ring-locating member 14. Projections 43 arepreferably four in number and are disposed with respect to each other aswell as the same distance from the axis of drill jig 40. Each ofprojections 43 is provided with an inclined surface 43' directed towardthe axis of drill jig 40 so that if center conductor C" is 01f center,the inclined surfaces of the projections will center the centerconductor.

Once drill jig 40 is mounted in position in recess 13 of body 1 withguide member 19 removed therefrom, a drill 44 is passed through opening42 and the center conductor then has a hole drilled therein thereby. Itshould be pointed out that hole 42 is slightly larger than drill 44 toaid in the support thereof since the drill is rather small. After thehole is drilled, drill jig 40 is removed from recess 13 and a tap jig(not shown) similar to drill jig 40 but having a larger opening thereinthan opening 42 is mounted in recess 13 in like manner and a tappingmember is inserted through the large opening to thereby tap the drilledhole. The outer surface of the jigs are preferably knurled to aid inhandling them. While the above drill and tap jigs are the preferablemeans to drill and tap the center conductor, these jigs could have aboutthe same outside diameter as that of guide bore 20 minus flange 41, andthe bottom of drive nut 27 could have a hole therein in order to be usedin conjunction with guide member 19; but since the drill and tappingmembers are rather small in diameter, this would place a tremendousstress thereon.

Ring-locating member 14 is preferably made in two pieces, so that uponthe application of a male or female fitting onto the conductor means,the conductor means with a fitting thereon can be removed through body1.

The operation of the foregoing device is as follows: Chuck nut 11 isslipped over an end of a cable means C through opening 11; the cablemeans is placed within chuck device 16, which is generally open to itsfullest extent against the inclined surface of sleeve 9, until the endthereof is in the same plane as the opening containing recess 13; thenchuck nut 11 is tightened to thereby move sleeve 9 relative to chuckdevice 16 so as to secure the cable means in body 1.

Drill jig 40 is then locked in recess 13 to center the center conductorby means of the inclined surfaces of projections 43, if necessary, and asuitable drill 44 is used to drill a hole in the center conductor. Thedrill jig is removed from recess 13, and the tap jig is locked thereinto tap the hole just drilled by a suitable tapping member. Tap jig isthen removed from recess 13, and ringlocating member 14 is lockedtherein.

Loading ring 30 is disposed between the outer conductor of the cablemeans and guide member 19 is threadably mounted on body 1 via threads 8.Flaring member 28 is inserted in guide bore 20, and drive nut 27 isthreadably mounted on threads 21 to drive the flaring member 28 intoengagement with the cable means to thereby flare a small length of theouter conductor into engagement with loading ring 30 (see FIGURE 5a).

Flaring member 28 is replaced by either male pusher member 22 with malefitting 25 thereon or female pusher member 31 Withfemale fitting 33thereon Within guide bore 20; drive nut 27 then pushes the pusher memberwith its fitting thereon so that the insertion part is pushed betweenthe inner surface of the outer conductor and the outer surface ofinsulation I to thereby push the outer surface of the outer conductorinto tight engagement with loading ring 30. The insertion part of thefitting is, therefore, securely disposed between the inner surface ofthe outer conductor and the outer surface of the insulation to providean excellent mechanical and electrical engagement therebetween withoutany damage to either the outer conductor or the insulation. Theconnection between the outer conductor and the insertions of eachfitting has been found to be so tight that upon a torque being appliedto the cable means, the cable means will mechanically fail beforerelative slippage of the cable means with respect to the connectormeans.

When inserting the male fitting, stop member 23 is used which engagesthe end of the conductor means to thereby limit the inner movement ofthe insertion part. In order that coupling nut 32 is not placed in tightengagement with loading ring 30, female pusher member 31 is providedwith a surface 31' which engages the end of the cable means.

After each fitting is applied to one end of a cable means, chuck nut 11is loosened to disengage chuck device from the cable means, the cablemeans is moved outwardly from recess 13, ring-located member 14 isremoved therefrom and the cable means and fitting thereon is removedfrom body 1. Contact members 35 and 37 are threaded into the tappedholes of the inner conductors and the dielectric inserts are wedgedagainst the inside surfaces of the fittings as shown in FIGURE couplingnut 32 threadably engage male fitting to provide the completed cableassembly as shown in FIGURE 14.

The outer end of the male fitting is stepped and an O- ring of suitablematerial 45 is disposed thereon which engages a surface 46 of the femalefitting in order to provide an effective seal against an environmentsuch as moisture, corrosive gases or other similar undesirable factors.Flat surfaces 47 are provided on each fitting which permit the use oftools to tighten the connector means.

As an alternative arrangement, outer conductors C and insulation I canbe removed allowing a suitable length of inner conductors C" of thecable means to extend outwardly therefrom, and these can be providedwith external threads while contact members and 37 can be internallytapped with corresponding threads, thereby eliminating use of any drilland tap jigs. If this arrangement is used, male and female pushermembers 22, 31 and flaring member 28 are provided with a central openingin order to accommodate the outwardly extending inner conductors.

Turning now to FIGURES 8 and 9, there is shown a second embodiment ofthe present invention which uses handles to apply connector fittings oncable means. This embodiment comprises a hollow body 48 which has afirst bore 49 and a second bore 50 having a smaller diameter than bore49. Threads 49" are provided on the inner surface of bore 49, andthreads 50' are provided on the external surface of bore 50.

A chuck device 51 having preferably four jaws and similar to chuckdevice 10 in FIGURES 2 and 4 is disposed in bore 49 and engages theinner surface thereof. Chuck device 51 is shorter than chuck device 10and has an outer surface which is provided with a larger inclinationthan that of chuck device 10. Sleeve 52 has a mating interior inclinedsurface engaging the inclined surface of chuck device 51 and an outersurface slightly smaller than bore 49 so as to be movable therein. Thejaws of chuck device 51 are preferably maintained in engagement with theinclined surface of sleeve 52 by spring means 51 such as coil springsdisposed in openings 51" of the jaws.

A driving member 53 having an opening 53 corresponding to the minimumdiameter of the inclined surface of sleeve 52 threadably engages threads49' of bore 49. Driving member 53 and sleeve 52 have engaging matingstep portions 54 which are maintained in engagement by spring means 51a.The outer surface of driving member 53 has equally spaced slots 53therein.

A ratchet device 55 is used to drive driving member 53 axially in twodirections to move sleeve 52 toward the inner end of bore 49 and in theopposite direction thereby causing chuck device 51 to engage anddisengage a cable means disposed therein. Ratchet device 55 comprises anengaging member 56 having a boss 56 which is disposed within the outersurface of bore 49 adjacent threads 49' and rotates relative thereto.Engaging member 56 has an opening 56" in which the portion of drivingmember 53 containing slots 53 is disposed.

A spring biased ratchet pin 58 is disposed in engaging member 56 andengages slots 53 thereby enabling the ratchet device to be operated intwo directions. A leaf spring 58a engages pin 58 and is mounted onmember 56 by screw 57. Member 56 is maintained within the outer part ofbore 49 by a key means 56a which is disposed in opposed grooves therein.

A handle 59 extends from engaging member 56 and is disposed parallel toanother handle 60 extending from body 48 in the same direction. An overcenter spring mechanism 61 is connected between handles 59 and 60 whichfacilitates driving the ratchet device in either direction.

A guide sleeve 62 has a guide bore 62' and a flange 63 extendingoutwardly from the outer surface and near the inner end thereof. Theouter surface of sleeve 62 has a diameter slightly less than thediameter of bore 50. A sleeve nut 64 has an opening therein toaccommodate sleeve 62 and a surface which engages one side of flange 63.Sleeve nut 64 has internal threads mating with threads 50' in order tomaintain guide sleeve 62 on body 48. As can be seen, the other surfaceof flange 63 engages the outer end of bore 50, and an inner portion ofguide sleeve 62 is disposed within bore 50. Instead of a sleeve nut,guide sleeve 62 could be connected to body 48 by a conventional bayonetconnection.

A mounting member 65 mounts guide sleeve 62 thereon via a conventionalbayonet connection 66. The lugs of the bayonet connection extendoutwardly from a piston sleeve 67 which is disposed within guide bore62' and has a piston 68 movably disposed therein. The outer end ofpiston 68 is pivotally connected by pivot pin 69 to the inner ends ofhandles 70 which in turn are pivotally connected to mounting member 65'by link members 71 and pivot pins 72. Thus, when handles 70 are movedaway from each other, piston 68 is moved in a direction toward handles70, while upon moving handles 70 toward each other, piston 68 moves in adirection away from handles 70.

It should be pointed out that mounting member 65 and guide sleeve can bean integral piece thereby eliminating bayonet connection 66.

A female fitting holding member 73 comprises three stepped sections 74,and 76. Step section 74 has a diameter slightly less than guide bore 62so as to 'be movable therein. The inner end of step section 74 rests onthe inner end of member 67 when handles 70 are disposed in theiroutermost inoperative position, and upon movement of handles 70 towardeach other, piston 68 engages this inner end to move member 73 towardbody 48. The other stepped sections 75 and 76 have O-rings 75 and 76 ofsuitable plastic material disposed in grooves therein. Member 73 ispreferably a separate piece and is, therefore, readily removed fromguide bore 62'.

A female fitting as shown in FIGURE 6, is adapted to be mounted onmember 73 with the inner threaded surface of coupling nut 32 disposed onstepped section 75 and the internal surface of insertion part 34 isdisposed on stepped section 76. O-rings 75' and 76' hold nut 32 and part34 of the female fitting on member 73, which is then placed in guidebore 62 as shown in FIG- URE 8. The inner end of stepped portion 76engages the end of the cable means to limit the inner movement of theinsertion part within the cable means. Piston 68 also has a shoulder 68which engages a surface 65' to also limit the inner movement of piston68.

FIGURE 10 shows a drill and tap jig 77 similar to that shown anddeescribed in FIGURE 7 which is held on body 48 in the same manner asguide sleeve 62 by nut 64. An insert 78 is threadably mounted in jig 77and has an opening 79 passing therethrough through which a tap member 80passes in order to tap a hole 81 that has been drilled in centerconductor C" by a drill. As shown in FIGURE 10, a flared projection 43'extends outwardly from the inner end of insert 78 and centers the centerconductor in the same manner described above. As can be seen, the innerend of insert 78 is spaced from the inner end of jig 77 so that thecable means is disposed within bore 77a in order to support and centersame. Insert 78 is to be used in conjunction with tap member 80 becauseopening 79 is large enough to accommodate same; however, a drill insert(not shown) is to replace insert 78 when center conductor C" is to bedrilled, and the drill insert has a smaller opening than opening 79since the drill will be smaller than the tap member.

It is also possible to allow center conductor C to extend out from thecable means about a quarter of an inch, and instead of drilling andtapping the center conductor, it can be threaded to receive a contactmember in mating relationship thereon, as described above, inconjunction with FIGURES 14 and 15. Also, instead of threading thecenter conductor, the contact member can be frictionally mounted on theoutwardly extending center conductor. If the center conductor is toextend outwardly, then female fitting holding member 73 will have to beprovided with a central opening in order to accommodate the outwardlyextending center conductor upon application of this fitting to the cablemeans.

FIGURE 11 shows a male fitting member 82 including a portion 83 similarto portion 74 of female fitting holding member 73 and another portion 84of less diameter than portion 83. An O-ring 85 is disposed in a grooveof portion 84. Member 82 is adapted to hold a male fitting such as shownin FIGURES 2 and 14 :by portion 84 being disposed on the inner surfacethereof and O-rin-g 85 maintains it thereon. An opening 86 is disposedin the center of portion 84 in order to accommodate the outwardlyextending center conductor, if this be the case. To facilitate entry ofthe center conductor within opening 86, it is tapered at the entrancethereof.

A flaring member similar to that shown and described in connection withFIGURES 5 and 5a is also used in FIGURES 8 and 9; and since it has thesame configuration and operation as that of FIGURES 5 and 5a, it is notnecessary to provide any further description thereof except to mentionthat the diameter thereof has to be slightly less than bore 62. Ofcourse, the flaring member will have to be provided with a centralopening similar to opening 86 of member 82 for the same reason.

The operation of FIGURES 8 and 9 is as follows: Ratchet device 55 isoperated to open chuck device 51 and a cable means is placed thereinuntil the end thereof is flush with the end of bore 50. Ratchet devi e55 is then operated in the opposite direction to secure the cable meansin the chuck device. If the center cable is to be drilled and tapped,then the ji-g shown and described in conjunction with FIGURE 10 is usedto accomplish same. If, on the other hand, the center conductor is toextend outwardly from the cable means, as described above, then aloading ring 30 is placed on the outer conductor C with the inner endthereof engaging the inner ends of the jaws of chuck device 51. Sleeve62 is mounted on body 48 by nut 64, the flaring tool is disposed in bore62, mounting member 65 is mounted on sleeve 62 and handles 70 are movedtoward each other thereby flaring the end of the outer conductor againstloading ring 36.

As can be seen, no ring-loading member 14 is used in the embodiment ofFIGURES 8 and 9, since the cable means extends far enough into bore 62,which has a suflicient diameter thereby providing suppont, and the innerpart of chuck device 51 limits the inner movement of ring 30.

After the flaring operation has been completed, then either a male orfemale fitting mounted on its respective holding member is placed inbore 62' to thereby be applied to the cable means upon inner movement ofhandles 70. After the fitting has been applied to the cable means, thenratchet device 55 is operated to loosen chuck device 51, and the cablemeans, fitting and holding member are removed from the tool throughopening 53.

Turning now to FIGURES 12-1311, there is shown a third embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment, there is provided a hollow body87 having a chuck bore 88 containing threads 88' and a sleeve receivingbore 89 of smaller diameter than bore 88. Bore 89 has an annular groove89 disposed therein. Bores 88 and 89 are in communication with eachother through another bore 90 having a diameter less than these bores.Bore 90 is disposed in wall 91 separating them. A handle 87 extendsoutwardly from body 87.

A chuck device 92 similar to chuck device 51 of FIGURE 8 is disposed inbore 88. Since chuck device 92 is the same as chuck device 51, nofurther explanation thereof is necessary except to point out that chuckdevice 92 has extensions 92' that are disposed in bore 90 and the heightthereof is equal to the length of bore 90.

A chuck sleeve 93 has an inclined inner surface mating with the inclinedsurface of chuck device 92 and an external threaded surface mating withthreads 88 so that upon rotation thereof, chuck device 92 is movedtoward and away from the longitudinal axis of body 87. Sleeve 93 alsoincludes a flange 94 having an opening 94 therein which has a diameterslightly larger than the maximum diameter of the inner surface of chuckdevice 92 through which the cable means passes. Flange 94 also hasdisposed in the periphery thereof inwardly directed and spaced openings94 which are engaged by a spanner wrench (not shown) in order to rotatesleeve 93 to tighten and loosen same to operate chuck device 92. Othermeans can, of course, be utilized to operate sleeve 93.

A guide sleeve 95 having substantially the same diameter as bore 89 hasa portion disposed therein, and this portion has lugs 96 extendingoutwardly therefrom which engage groove 89 to form a bayonet connection.Lugs 96 enter groove 89' through slots 89 disposed in the front end ofbore 89 (see FIGURE 13a). Guide sleeve 95 has a guide bore 95' in whicha female fitting holding member 97 is guided. Female fitting holdingmember 97 is similar to member 73 used in conjunction with FIGURE 8 and,therefore, need not be further described. The same is true with regardto the male fitting holding member, flaring member and drilling andtapping jig.

A piston bore 97' is disposed in sleeve 95 rearwardly of bore 95' and isseparated therefrom by a wall 98 having a bore 98' therein but ofsmaller diameter than bores 95' and 97. Rearwardly of bore 97' is alarger threaded bore 99.

A plug 109 has a portion 100' threadably engaged in bore 99, a flange101 engaging the end of sleeve 95 and a central threaded opening 102. Asealing member 103 is provided in a groove in portion 100'. adjacentflange 101 in order to provide an effective seal between plug 100 andsleeve 95. A conduit 104 is threadably engaged in opening 102 and isconnected to a conventional pressure source 105, such as pneumatic,hydraulic, etc.

Disposed in bore 97 is a piston member 106 having spaced flange portions107 and 108 between which is disposed an O-ring 109 to provide a sealbetween the piston member and bore 97'. A spring means 110 extendsbetween flange portion 108 and the side of Wall 98 to normally maintainflange portion 107 in engagement with plug 100. Forward of flangeportion 108 is a surface 111 of larger diameter than bore 98' whichengages the side of wall 98 to limit the inner movement of piston member106 in bore 97. A driving member 112 extends outwardly from surface 111and is disposed in bore 98' to be moved relative therewith to therebyengage member 97 upon actuation of the piston member. Sleeve 95 hasslots 113 disposed therein through which the movement of the fittingholding member and fitting thereon can be observed.

The operation of FIGURES 12-13a is as follows: Sleeve 93 is rotated toopen chuck device 92, a cable means C is disposed therein until the endof the cable means is flush with the outer end of bore 89 and sleeve 93is rotated to tighten chuck device 92 on the cable means. If the centerconductor is to be drilled and tapped, then a drill and tapping jigsimilar to that disclosed in connection with FIGURE 10 is used toaccomplish this operation. A loading ring 30 is then placed over theouter conductor C, a flaring tool similar to that described in FIGURE isinserted in bore 95' and sleeve 95 is mounted in place on body 87.Pressure means 105 is actuated and drives piston member 106 inwardagainst spring means 110 so that driving member 112 drives the flaringmember into engagement with the cable means so that a part of the outerconductor is flared against ring 30 in the same manner as shown inFIGURE 5a.

Pressure means 105 is relieved so that spring means 110 returns thepiston member to its normal position, sleeve 95 is removed from body 87,the flaring tool is removed from bore 95, and a fitting holding member97 with a fitting thereon, such as a male fitting and male fittingholding member shown in FIGURE 12, is placed in bore 95' and sleeve 95again mounted on body 87. Pressure means 105 is again actuated to drivepiston member 106 and driving member 112 inwardly so that the insertionpart of the fitting is inserted between the outer conductor and theinsulation. Pressure means 105 is relieved, sleeve 94 is rotated todisengage chuck device 92 and the cable means and applied fitting isremoved from the tool. To apply a female fitting onto another cablemeans, the same procedure, as above, is followed.

In the insertion of the fittings into the respective ends of cable meansby the tools described hereinabove, it is thought that actual coldwelding occurs due to the contact of surfaces wherein oxide productstherebetween have been substantially reduced.

As can be discerned, there has been described a tool means toeffectively apply connector fittings to the ends of cable means by anaxial motion with the connector fittings and cable means positivelydisposed in coaxial position in a manner not heretofore contemplated.For further information with regard to the connector means, reference ismade to US. patent application, Serial No. 308,265 filed September 11,1963..

It will, therefore, be appreciated that the aforementioned and otherdesirable objects have been achieved; however, it should be emphasizedthat the particular embodiments of the invention, which are shown and 10described herein, are intended as merely illustrative and not asrestrictive of the invention.

We claim:

1. A device for applying coaxial connector members to a coaxial cablemeans comprising hollow body means, means on said body means to secureone end of said cable means to said body means, and means on said bodymeans adjacent the end of said cable means to guide and apply aconnector member to a conductor means so that said connector member ismechanically and electrically secured thereto, wherein said securingmeans includes a chuck device having inclined jaw members, a sleevememher having an inclined surface engaging said jaw members, means onsaid jaw members to bias said jaw members against said inclined surface,and means on said body means to move said chuck device and said sleeverelative to each other so that said chuck device is moved into aposition engaging said cable means and another position disengaging saidcable means.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said guiding and applying meansincludes a sleeve element having a guide bore, holding means disposed insaid guide bore to hold said connector member thereon in position forapplication to said conductor means, and means for dr-iving said holdingmeans in said guide bore to apply said connector member to saidconductor means coaxial thereto.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said driving means includes nutmeans threadably engaging said sleeve element.

4. A device according to claim 2 wherein said driving means includespiston means, and handle means pivotally connected to said piston meansto reciprocably move same.

5. A device according to claim 2 wherein said driving means includespiston means, and pressure means operatively connected to said pistonmeans to reciprocably move same.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein said moving means includes aratchet means.

7. A tool for applying a connector member to an outer conductor of acoaxial cable comprising hollow body means, means in said body means forengaging said cable to maintain same therein, means on said body meanshaving guiding means and actuating means, flaring means dispose-d insaid guiding means and actuated by said actuating means to flare saidouter conductor against a loading ring disposed thereon, and holdingmeans having said connector member thereon disposed in said guidingmeans and actuated by said actuating means to mechanically andelectrically secure said connector member to said outer conductorcoaxial thereto.

8. A tool according to claim 7 wherein said actuating means includesmechanical manually operated means.

9. A tool according to claim 7 wherein said actuating means includespressure operated means.

10. In a tool for applying a connector member to an outer conductor of acoaxial cable, means for holding one end of said cable, means forflaring said outer conductor against a loading ring disposed thereon,and means for applying said connector member within said flared outerconductor coaxial thereto.

11. In a tool for applying a connector member to an outer conductor of acoaxial cable, means for holding one end of said cable, means forcentering the center conductor of said coaxial cable, means for flaringsaid outer conductor against a loading ring disposed thereon, and meansfor applying said connector member within said flared outer conductorcoaxial thereto.

12. A tool for applying a connector member to a conductor of a coaxialcable comprising hollow body means, chuck means on said body means forengaging said cable to hold same coaxial with respect to said bodymeans, guide means on said body means for guiding said connector membertoward the end of said cable, and actuating means operatively connectedto said guide means for engaging said connector member to move samealOng said guide means and mechanically and electrically secure saidconnector member on said conductor coaxial therewith.

13. A tool according to claim 12 wherein said actuatingchuck device anddisposed between said body member and said chuck device, means formoving said sleeve and said chuck device relative to each other tooperate said chuck device, a sleeve member on said body member, saidsleeve member, body member, sleeve and chuck device being co- 1:13axial, and means operatively connected to said sleeve member for movingan element into coaxial engagement with another element engaged by saidchuck device.

16. In a tool according to claim 15 wherein said lastmentioned means isa pressure means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,010,184 11/1961Forney 29155.55 3,020,623 2/1962 Beall 2933.l0 3,044,151 7/1962 Coler29155.55 3,115,695 12/1963 Schwalm 2-933.10

RICHARD H. EANES, JR., Primary Examiner.

1. A DEVICER FOR APPLYING COAXIAL CONNECTOR MEMBERS TO A COAXIAL CABLEMEANS COMPRISING HOLLOW BODY MEANS, MEANS ON SAID BODY MEANS TO SECUREONE END OF SAID CABLE MEANS TO SAID BODY MEANS, AND MEANS ON SAID BODYMEANS ADJACENT THE END OF SAID CABLE MEANS TO GUIDE AND APPLY ACONNECTOR MEMBER TO A CONDUCTOR MEANS SO THAT SAID CONNECTOR MEMBER ISMECHANICALLY AND ELECTRIALLY SECURED THERETO, WHEREIN SAID SECURINGMEANS INCLUDES A CHUCK DEVICE HAVING INCLINED JAW MEMBERS, A SLEEVEMEMBER HAVING AN INCLINED SURFACE ENGAGING SAID JAW MEMBERS,